Career Pathways in Law
The Pre-Law Advising office provides students with an opportunity to hear from seasoned legal professionals through its 鈥淟egal Career Paths鈥 speaker series. Students also have the chance to connect with Occidental alumni currently attending law school via the 鈥淧athways to Practice鈥 alumni panels. Through these events, 麻豆视频 students have engaged with attorneys dedicated to advancing climate justice, environmental protection, artists鈥 rights, children鈥檚 rights, civil rights, and who work for:
- Big Law
- State Government
- Federal Public Defender
- Assistant United States Attorney
- Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
- Los Angeles Superior Court
- Public Interest Law Firms
- Legal Aid Organizations
- Boutique Entertainment Law Firms
- Non-for-profit Organizations
- Universities
- High-level Policy Making Bodies
- Philanthropy
Getting Pre-Law Advising at Occidental
The Pre-Law Advising office offers individualized support for current Occidental students and recent alumni interested in pursuing a legal profession. Interested students and alumni can schedule appointments with Pre-Law Advisor Marisol Le贸n, a full-time practicing civil rights attorney and visiting assistant professor with the Critical Theory and Social Justice Department.
Professor Le贸n guides students and alumni throughout their law school application journey. From developing a list of appropriate target law schools, to crafting a compelling personal statement, to strategically selecting recommendation letters, Professor Le贸n meets with students and reviews their drafts, provides them with feedback, and keeps them abreast of requirements and deadlines.
In addition to personalized counseling sessions, the Pre-Law Advising office offers 鈥淒emystifying Applying to Law School鈥 workshops, LSAT workshops, and hosts law schools on campus. These opportunities foster a deeper understanding of law school and the legal landscape. Email Professor Le贸n at mleon@oxy.edu to join the Pre-Law mailing list and receive notifications of upcoming events and workshops.
Schedule an advising appointment
Preparing for law school
Resources
Exclusive Pre-Professional Opportunities
Occidental鈥檚 Pre鈥慙aw Advising offers students partnerships and structured programs that deepen legal readiness and professional growth. Students receive tailored support through faculty-guided curricula and access to competitive fellowships鈥攃omplete with advising on internships, leadership development, and research opportunities. Courses like 鈥淟awyering for Social Justice鈥 or CTSJ鈥檚 鈥淪ocial Justice Practicum鈥 connect Occidental students with real-world internships and experiential learning environments, building hands-on experience in legal and policy settings.
Recommended Courses
There鈥檚 no required pre-law curriculum at Occidental, but many students find certain courses especially valuable in developing the core competencies valued by law schools鈥攕uch as sharp analytical thinking, compelling written communication, and confident speaking abilities.
Explore Course Recommendations
Student and Alumni Outcomes
Occidental graduates have gone on to attend prestigious law schools across the country, including top-tier programs at UCLA, UC Berkeley, Yale, Columbia, and Stanford Law School. Our alumni are thriving in diverse legal careers, working in areas such as corporate law, public interest law, immigration advocacy, and domestic violence support. This success reflects the strong preparation and mentorship Occidental provides to help students pursue meaningful and impactful roles in the legal profession. The top five law schools Occidental students attend are:
- UCLA
- UCSF
- UC Davis
- UC Berkeley
- USC
